Citizens and visitors enjoy the 1400+ public swimming pools with the confidence that the water is clean and safe. Assurance of clean and safe pools by the owners is partially due to the permitting requirements and routine inspections by our staff. All swimming pools, other than home pools, are permitted on an annual basis and inspections are performed routinely based on their operating season. Plans of all new pools are reviewed and approved per the regulation requirements prior to construction.

A federal law governing main drain covers was passed in 2007 that requires manufacturers and pool owners to comply with new standards by December 20, 2008. The Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act of 2008â€ť (VGB Act) is a federal mandate that requires all pool main drain covers be compliant with the standards of the Act. The VGB Act also requires main drain cover manufacturers to produce compliant covers by December 20, 2008.

Each pool in Fulton MUST have two (2) or more main drains with the new, federal VGB Act-compliant covers by December 20, 2008. Each pool must have compliant drain covers BEFORE placed into operation after December 20, 2008. Fulton County Article XII, â€śSwimming Pools and Natural Bathing Beaches", requires modification permit application to be completed and submitted prior to installation to verify compliance. We want to be aware of which pools in Fulton County have replaced their main drain covers so that your pool will be one step closer to being permitted for operation in 2009 without delay.

The Fulton County pool code mandates a maximum velocity through pool main drain covers of 1.5 feet per second.

In determining compliance with the VGB Act and Fulton County code, use the following formula for pools with two main drains:

If velocity exceeds 1.5 fps, then you should select another main drain cover or you may need to add more main drain boxes or sumps in your pool in order to reduce the velocity.

IMPORTANT!! Be sure to provide a copy of a letter (see link below for acceptable sample copy) from the pool owner or authorized agent for the owner certifying the main drain covers in your pool have been replaced with new, VGB Act and Fulton County code-compliant covers, when the inspector comes to your pool for annual permitting. Operation permits for pools operated year round expire March 1, 2018 and May 1, 2018 for pools operated on a seasonal basis. Please click on the links below to learn more about the VGB Act and what you will need to do to avoid delays in getting your pool permitted for operation for 2018. See link below for letter sent to all pool owners for more information about the VGB Act and what is required for permitting. If you have any questions, please contact the office below in the district where your pool is located.

If you did not receive an invoice for your pool(s) by April 30, please contact the Finance Dept. at 404-613-4321. Also refer to the annual pool letter below for more details about obtaining a permit for your pool.